US warships dock in Cambodia.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - On December 16, a US warship docked in Cambodia for the first time in eight years, in a move that Phnom Penh says shows an improvement in relations between the two countries.

The littoral combat ship USS Savannah (Photo: US Navy).

According to sources, the USS Savannah of the US Navy has docked in Sihanoukville on the Gulf of Thailand for a five-day visit. The Savannah, classified as a littoral combat ship, carries a crew of 103.

"It's great to be back, bringing the American presence back here after eight years," the ship's commanding officer, Daniel Sledz, briefly told reporters. A Cambodian female officer presented Sledz with a bouquet of flowers to welcome the ship into port.

Over the years, relations between the US and Cambodia have become strained, with Washington concerned about China's growing influence in the country.

Since 2022, China has funded the renovation of the Ream naval base – located about 30km from Sihanoukville – which was originally built in part with US funding.

Washington has previously expressed concerns that Beijing might gain exclusive access to this Cambodian naval base on the Gulf of Thailand, which is not far from where the Savannah docks. However, Cambodia has repeatedly stated that no foreign military is permitted to use the base.

Last week, the Cambodian government stated that the visit of the USS Savannah to the port city of Sihanoukville aimed to "strengthen and expand friendship" and "promote bilateral cooperation." The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement acknowledging the "positive momentum of bilateral relations and cooperation" and "the rebuilding of military cooperation" between Cambodia and the United States.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Cambodia in early June, where he held talks with Prime Minister Hun Manet and other senior officials. He also met with Cambodian alumni of US military training programs. Prime Minister Hun Manet himself is an alumnus of the West Point Military Academy in the United States.

At the time, the U.S. Department of Defense said Austin's discussions involved "opportunities to enhance bilateral defense relations to support regional peace and security" and other issues.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/tau-chien-my-cap-cang-campuchia-20241216154547282.htm